Maker: Tokyo Marui
Model: No. 75
Release year: 2003
Model name: M733 Commando
Model type: Automatic Electric Gun, w/ Hop-Up system
Motor type: EG1000 (long type)
Gearbox: version 2
Battery: 8.4v mini
Model length: 774mm (690mm w/ stock fully retracted)
Barrel length: 300mm
Model weight: 2400g (without battery)
Calibre: 6mm BBs
Magazine capacity:
- standard: 80 round short or 68 round long
- hi-cap: 190 round short or 300 round long
Muzzle velocity: 90m/s (w/ light-weight BBs)
Rate of fire: 750~850rpm (w/ 8.4v battery)
Price: 29,800 yen
Maker: Colt
Model number: RO733
Gun name: M4 Commando
Gun type: compact assault rifle
Gun length: 30 in (76.2 cm) [stock extended]
- 26.8 in (68.1 cm) [stock retracted]
Barrel length: 11.5 in (29.2 cm)
Gun weight: 5.38 lb (2.44 kg) [w/o magazine]
Calibre: 5.56x45mm
Magazine capacity: 20 or 30 rounds
Muzzle velocity: 2611 ft/sec (796 m/sec)
Rate of fire: 700~1000 rpm
Anyone who knows me knows that I swore I'd never buy a M16 variant. Why, do you ask? The simple reason being it seems everyone and their uncle owns a M16 or M4 or variant thereof. With a Beta-Spetsnaz and G36C, I thought I stuck out a bit. Unfortunately, it's quickly becoming apparent that my team (Charlie Company) is going to make it a requirement that each team member own a M16-compatible airsoft model. So, prefering compact weapons to long rifles, I bought a M733, otherwise known as the Colt Commando. You might recognize it as the compact M16 used by Delta Force in the movie, "Black Hawk Down." As I understand it, that film was the major contributor why Marui chose to produce an airsoft replica of the M733.
Anyway, I ordered a bunch of equipment to use with my new Commando, including eight G&P 110 round standard magazines (the short, 20-round style, as opposed to the long, 30-round type which hold only 20 BBs more--standard magazine technology improving I suppose), a Specter Gear MOUT sling (a one-point sling, which I prefer seeing no use for the multitude of positions capable with a three-point sling in airsoft), a generic rail-type scope mount, a dozen Magpuls for my mags, and a G&G receiver sling adapter in which to connect my sling to (as opposed to connecting to the stock). First off, the G&G sling adapter is a very easy install, taking a few minutes to perform. But the usefulness of these accessories are reviews for another time.
I paid $260 for my M733 shipped (an eBay purchase), and that seems pleasantly inexpensive for one of Marui's more recent releases. This is not a cheap model by any standard, it's fairly solid and well-constructed. Let me get this out of the way right now; you can and will get barrel wobble on a M733, as with any M16-type airsoft model before aftermarket upgrades. However, the shortness of the barrel and the improved construction limits the barrel wobble to being almost negligible. The main concern, does it affect accuracy? Nah, not from what I can tell. And I think it only set in from my accidental whacking of the barrel on corners of structures. It may get worse with time, but for now it's no trouble. A piece of advice though, slings that connect to both ends of the model will contribute to barrel wobble setting in. A good reason to look at one-point sling solutions for that M16 or M4.
OK, so how does this model handle in the field? Fantastic really, better than I expected. It chrono'ed at 275fps with Airsoft Elite 0.20g BBs. Another reason I bought this specific model was its light weight. The Spetsnaz is heavy (moreso with a PBS-1 suppressor attached), and the G36C is very front heavy with that large battery sitting up there (with a First Factory large handguard installed). The M733 has an aluminum outer barrel, and takes a mini battery in the handguard, so it's more balanced and easier to carry for long periods of time. Back to the point, this model spits out the BBs really fast, it seems quicker than the G36C even. I had initially used with model with a 8.4v 600mAh NiCd, but it lasted nearly all day (9am-4pm). I test-fired the model a few times at home and the battery finally died. Had I played for an hour more, I think I would have been in trouble.
It's very accurate, with a longer barrel than either the Spetsnaz or G36C. I had no trouble engaging and hitting targets at range, even through brush and the like. It's not as comfortable as I had hoped, with the stock not nearly being as comfy as the padded G36 stock, and even the pistol grip and trigger guard cut into my hand. The sharply square corners of the guard when using the model (I tend to stick one finger out sometimes) will be bothersome. And I find that bump in the pistol grip that separates the middle and ring finger to be really annoying. All this can be fixed with aftermarket parts, but it bothered me still. Oh yeah, and I lost the front receiver pin the first day I went out and skirmished with it. Thank god somebody had a screw pin on hand and I bought it from them.
The hop-up adjustment was very stiff. I hear one of the issues on the older M16s/M4s was the hop-up wheel winding down and not staying put with use. No such trouble here, but fine adjustment takes some doing. The battery change is very fast and easy, so I've no issues with the smaller mAh capacity mini batteries, but with the Gold Peak 1100mAh NiMH cell batteries I've received, I think even just one battery should last all day and then some without a change. While I'm discussing random features, the stock adjusts to four different positions: all the way in, 40mm extended, then 20mm more extended, and finally another 20mm extended. OK, so that adds up to 80mm, and if you do the math the lengths given in the manual are a difference of 84mm, so add in 4mm in the stock adjustment somewhere. I'm sure you won't notice.
Minor and major quibbles aside, it's a great airsoft model really. I'll be damned if I don't like it. The fact that it's not heavy, very accurate, and delivers a lot of firepower is outstanding. And on top of that, the Colt Commando feels very natural. I'm used to using such weapons, and the Commando is easy to operate without even thinking. I don't need to tell you that there are several tons worth of parts and accessories designed for M16s and their variants, as well as whatever real steel parts will fit on the airsoft version. If you need to be compatible with everybody else, or want a really decent compact rifle, or want a small model that you can customize the hell out of, then the M733 is recommended for you.
Update (2005/10/19): The Tokyo Marui M733 is no longer a Tokyo Marui M733. It's been upgraded into something roughly the same size, but very much different. This was not recent, I believe I upgraded the model sometime in April. I spent nearly $1000 doing so, but it was a complete overhaul. The M733 was breaking down anyway. Not internally, but externally the front end was coming off. Those little hex screws weren't going to hold it on for much longer, and eventually the front end slid right off the inner barrel. Anyway, after a Guarder metal receiver and G&P RAS II front end, this is one hell of a solid airsoft model. I suppose the only true way to eliminate barrel wobble (and possible failure) is to go with metal parts.
Do I still recommend a Tokyo Marui M733? Well, considering Classic Army has their game together and manufactures something close to what I myself spent a lot of money to build (the M15A4 CQB), I'd recommend you're better off buying a Classic Army and doing some work on the internals than buying a Tokyo Marui and doing work on the externals. The Classic Army is more expensive than Tokyo Marui, but you'll save money in the long run if you're considering metal receivers and such. Although with the wide variety of aftermarket parts, you can probably build something a little more specific by purchasing individual parts to assemble.